Combined paper cup and package



Jan. 10, 1961 E. s. GABBARD 2,967,609

COMBINED PAPER CUP AND PACKAGE Filed 001i. 28. 1957 United States Patent O COMBINED PAPER CUP AND PACKAGE Elbert S. Gabbard, Park Ridge, Ill., assignor to Goldene Shaw, Cook County, 111.

Filed Oct. 28, 1957, Ser. No. 692,933

2 Claims. (Cl. 206-47) This invention relates to an improved form of package, and more specifically to a combined paper` cup and package, particularly for powders `and similar water-soluble products which are intended to be used orally in water solution.

The general aims and objects of the invention will best be understood by reference to one particular use thereof, the packaging of powdered mouthwash, one of the many purposes to which the invention may be applied. The package of the invention is of the singleuse or throw-away type, wherein it is intended that the contents of the package will be used immediately after opening of the package, and the package thereupon thrown away. The packaging of powders, capsules, and analogous products in small envelopes or containers designed to contain just sufficient of the product for one use has become commonplace in a variety of uses of such products, particularly in the supplying of Vconvenience items to patrons of airlines, railroads, hotels, and other enterprises of a more or less public nature, particularly those catering to travellers. Many such convenience items, such as `aspirin and tooth-powder, require as an auxiliary for satisfactory use a cup or other container of water. In many locations, such as in washrooms, although satisfactory drinking water is readily available there is not usually present a suitable cup or other container. In the case of mouthwash, an additional complicating factor is the requirement that the powdered product be dissolved in a measured quantity of water in order that the solution be of satisfactory strength. Thus the distribution of powdered mouthwash in singleuse packages has heretofore been relatively impractical, since such packages could not conveniently be used even in locations where a suitable drinking container is available, because the making of a mixture of proper strength would require either an auxiliary measuring device for the quantity of water employed or skill on the part of the user in estimating the level to which any particular container must be filled in obtaining the quantity of water specified for use with the fixed quantity of powder. In the present invention, this problem is avoided by incorporating as a part of the package containing the packet of mouthwash a paper cup in which the contents of the packet may be dissolved, thus automatically insuring that the solution will be made in the strength recommended by the manufacturer, without the necessity of experimentation or skill on the part of the user.

The combination paper cup and package of the present invention is so constructed as to minimize the possibility of dust and dirt entering the interior of the portion of the device from which the cup is later formed, during storage and handling. The device of the invention is readily and simply converted from a simple and compact package to a conical paper cup, the cover por tion of the package serving asa handle for thecup in this condition of the device.

For understanding of the manner in which the above advantages are obtained, and for observation of the ice V2 advantages of the invention other than those specifically discussed above, reference is made to the single embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, in which:

Figure l is a view in isometric perspective of thecombined paper cup and package of the invention in the condition of folding wherein it constitutes a package; f

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a view in isometric perspective of the device of Figure 1 n an intermediate folded condition;

Figure 4 is a more or less horizontal sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a more or less vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3; Y

Figure 6 is a small view in isometric perspective of the device in the final folded condition wherein it constitutes a paper cup provided with a handle; and

Figure 7 is a plan view of the blankfrom which the device is formed.

As will be seen from the drawing, the device of the invention, as shown in Figure l, is, in the condition wherein it is employed as a package, a compact flat rectangular (square in the present instance) enclosure, and in its condition as a paper cup (Figure 6), it assumes a conical configuration provided with a triangular handle. Prior to describing the simple refolding operation involved in this conversion, there will first be described the flat blank shown in Figure 7, from which the device in its various folded states is formed. As shown in Figure 7, the blank, of cardboard or other similar material, consists generally of a rectangular cover portion 10, which is divided by a suitable score line 12, serving as a folding guide, into upper and lower rectangles 14 and 16 (the terms upper and lower referring to the position of Figure 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the rectangular cover portion 10 is of a height twice its width, so that the upper and lower portions 14 and 16 are` square.

Integral with one edge of the rectangular cover portion 10 is a cup portion 18, a scored folding line 20 being inscribed upon the blank along this edge of the rectangular cover portion 10, and thus separating the cover and cup portions 10 and 18. A score line 22/ on the cup portion 18 constitutes an extension of the score line 12, the extended score line thus formed being perpendicular to the score line 20. Extending radially from the intersection 26 of the edge score line 20 and ythe transverse score lines 12 and 22 are additional score lines 24 0n the cup portion 18, approximately bisecting the angles between the mutually perpendicular score lines. The outer edge 28 of the cup portion 18 forms a convex curve, more or less semicircular, symmetrical with respect t0 the score line 22, which lies on the center line of the cup portion 18. The ends of the curved outeredge 28 are slightly offset inwardly at 30 fromthe outer ends of the upper and lower portions 14 and 16 of the rectangular cover portion 10.

It will be seen that folding of the 'rectangular cover portion 10 along the score line 12 to place -the upper and lower portions 14 and 16 in mutual abutment will,v be'- cause of the presence of the score lines 24, form the-cup portion 18 into a more or less conical cup.` Were'gtlie score lines 24 absent, the folding thus described would merely double up the cup `portion along its score linef22,v but the presence of the score lines 24 distributes the bending force applied on the cup portion by grasping of the portions 14 and 16 in such a manner as to form an open container. Additional score lines 31 are"provided,ia proximately bisecting the angles between the score lines 24 and the respective score lines 20 and 22, thus extending the distribution of the bending further, to form a cone of more circular cross-section, as shown in Figure 3. (It

figured amano@ is tobe'noted that the cross-section of the cone is distorted in the sectional view of Figure 4 because vof 'the angle at which this section was taken.)

The edges of the upper portion 14 of the rectangular cover portion are'provided with flaps 32 and 34, YseparatedA therefrom by score lines 36 ancl38, the'face of the flap 34 being coated with a suitable adhesive. Additionally, diagonal score lines 40 and 42 extend across the portions 14 and 16 from the `intersection 26,1for purposes to be describedbelow.

As indicated above, folding of the rectangular cover portion 10 along the score line 12 producesthe general 'configuration shown in Figure, wherein it will/'be seen that'the cup formed by thecup portion 18 in-this manner has the cover portion 10 secured thereto in aV manner somewhat resembling a handle. However, as will further be seen in Figure -3, when the `cupis erect with the folds made as thus far described, the fold at 12 runs downwardly and outwardly from the vertex of the cone at 26. Since there is no adhesive'or other leak-proofing provided, use of the cup in the condition shown in Figure 3, although possible, is not desirable. Accordingly, in folding the blank of Figure 7 to its ultimate condition for use as a cup, as shown in Figure 6, a final fold is made along the diagonal score lines 40 and 42, thus forming the cover portion 10 into a triangular handle, this last folding operation serving both to eliminate the downward inclination of the lower edge of the handle from the vertex of the upright cone, and also, by reason of the fact that the handle now consists of four thicknesses, rathcr'than two, 4and that the-area of finger pressure is now a larger'portion of the interface betweenthe portions 14 andl 16, to make the cup suiciently liquid-tight sothat there is no problem'in holding liquids in the cup without leakage for the relatively short periodsfor which the .cup is designed for use. Returning'now to Figure 7,.ithas been :seen that the cup with annexed handle is formed by-making therst foldtof the blank of Figure 7 along the score line 12. Consider now the effect of making the first fold of the blank of Figure 7 along the score line 20. In this case the cup portion 18 is folded at against the cover portion 10. .As shown by the dotted line in Figure 7, the edge or rim'28 ofthe cup portion lies well within the area of the cover portion'10, `both because of the provision of the o1fset30-and because the maximum widthsof the cup-portion 18 is'less than the width -of the rectangular portion 4 10, the score line 22 thus being shorter than the scoreline 12. When'the second fold is made along'the score lines 12 and 22, both the cover portion 10 and the cup portion 18 are folded in two and remain flat. lf, before these folding operations, a suitable envelope or packet of powder is placed on the portion 14, the making of the folds along `the score line 20 and then along the abutting score lines 12 and 22 produces a flat rectangular package, which is closed by tucking in of the flap 32 and bending over of the ap 34, which adheres to the outer surface of the portion 16 by reason of the adhesive mentioned above. The ultimate package structure thus formed is shown in Figures 1 and 2, an envelope of powder being indicated in the latter figure at 44.

The ,mode of employment of the device will now be obvious. The blank of Figure 7 is, in the packaging operation, employed to enclose the packaged object, such as -the envelope of powder 44, in the manner described above. When the powder or other object enclosed within the package is to be used, the flap 34 is openedby the user and the device unfolded, the contents being removed. Thereupon, to place the package in condition foruse as a drinking c up, folds aremade along the scoring 12 and along the scorings 40 Aand .42, which are'automatically in juxtaposition, thus producing the handled cup 4of It will be noted that in the package condition of Figures 1 and 2, the interior andlip or rim of the cup are well protected from contamination by dirt or dust which may be encountered in handling or extended storage. By the provision of the flap 32, it is assured that the single edge of the package which remains open exposes to possible dirt contamination Only-.that part of the cup portion 18 which will ultimately constitute the apex of the cone, i.e., thelower-outerssurfaceof the cup.

It .will be obvious ,to those skilled in the art, ,after carefull perusal of thetabove description and examination of the annexed drawing, that many changes can be made without departing from the'teaching's of the invention,

which may be incorporated in structures substantially dilering in appearance from that herein illustrated and described. Accordingly, the scope of the invention shall not be deemed to be limited by the particular embodiment shown in the drawing, butshall be determined by theannexed claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A combined paper cup and packaged product comprising a rectangular cover portion folded double to form an enclosure, actlp portion integrally formed with the cover portion from a single flat sheet and having one edge common with a doubled edge of the cover portion and an opposite edge forming a convex curve symmetrical with respect to the fold-line of the cover portion, the cup portion extending Substantially the entire width of the cover portion and being wholly folded into the coverpOrIion alongthecommon edge and folded double within the vcover portion along said `fold-line, and a product comprising an envelope containing a soluble substance within `the enclosure thus formed, constructed and arranged so that upon opening of the package and unfolding of the cup portion, the cup portion may be formed into a substantially conical cup'havingthe cover portion as a handle, and the contentsof the envelope maybe dissolved in the cup.

2. A combined paper cup and packaged product comprising a cover portion symmetrical with respect to its center-line and folded double along its center-line to form an enclosure, a cup portion integrally formed with the cover portion from a single at sheet and having one edge common with a doubled edge of the cover portion and an opposite Yedge Vforming a convex curve symmetrical with respect toits center-line, the cup portion extending'substantially the entire width of the cover portion and being wholly folded into the cover portion along the common edge and folded double within the cover portion along its center-line, and a product comprising an envelope containing a soluble substance within the enclosure thus formed, constructed and arranged so that upon opening of the package and unfolding of the cup portion, the cup port-ion may be formed into a substantially conical cup having the cover portion as a handle, and the contents of the envelope may be dissolved in the cup. 

